Ash Pournouri, the former manager of the late DJ and producer Avicii (Tim Bergling), has initiated legal proceedings against the artist’s family and their associated companies. Filed in Stockholm, the lawsuit targets Avicii AB and entities controlled by the Bergling family, with Pournouri alleging he has been the victim of a “false external narrative” regarding the superstar’s health struggles and suicide in 2018.
Pournouri, who managed Avicii from 2008 until their split in late 2016, contends that the 2017 documentary Avicii: True Stories, the recent film Avicii – I’m Tim, and various books have unfairly cast him as a villain. He argues these works suggest he forced Bergling to tour against his will, a portrayal he claims ignores the fact that their professional relationship ended two years before the artist’s death.
In a statement, Pournouri expressed his frustration after years of silence. “Enough is enough,” he declared. “I have endured a false external narrative which, out of respect for Tim’s memory and family, I have actively chosen not to engage in. That courtesy has not been extended to me.”
This is undeniably a delicate matter, touching on the tragic and sensitive loss of a global icon. However, the lawsuit implies that if Pournouri feels the Avicii name is being abused for commercial appeal while his own reputation is simultaneously being defamed, legal intervention may be needed to correct the course.
A significant portion of this correction focuses on financial transparency, specifically regarding the usage of charity in recent Avicii and Pophouse offerings. Pournouri is seeking to clear up what he describes as a lack of clarity in these areas. He has called for an independent audit of commercialisation tied to charity claims to ensure they are legitimate. To underscore his point, he stated that any damages awarded from the trial would be donated to “real charitable causes,” reinforcing his stance that the current operations may not be as altruistic as they appear.
“Lies and false accusations by certain individuals continue with the aim of causing me harm and to profit from a tragedy,” Pournouri stated. He explained that after private attempts to resolve the matter failed, he felt he had “no other choice” but to litigate, noting that “Court is the only venue that compels the truth to surface.”
To support his case, Pournouri has threatened to release “hours of unedited recordings” and uncensored footage if the opposing party resorts to “more denial.” His legal team has reportedly compiled a witness list of approximately 50 individuals, alleging that many were previously silenced by non-disclosure agreements.
The Bergling family has not yet commented on the lawsuit.